Books with author Alan Bates

Set in the late 1950's, this is a story which explores the relationship between youth and old age. Alsiter Digby is one of five children. Mrs. Unsworth, an elderly neighbour who lives alone appears at his house to ask his father to help her to get back into her house because she has locked herself out. Because of her wild appearance, heavily wrinkled face and unusual and erratic behaviour, Alister is afraid of her. His brother and friends believe she is some kind of witch who could harm them. In fact Mrs. Unsworth is suffering from the beginnings of dementia. Drama and conflict ensue when Alister decides to overcome his fear and help the old lady. Conflict arises between Alister and his parents who see her as a danger to their children, between Alister and his brother and friends who ridicule him and between Alister and a local gang of boys who think it fun to target the old lady and terrorise her. In the end his persistence in helping Mrs. Unsworth wins over both the attention and support of his brother and friends and his parents. This support seems to help and everything seems to be resolved . But none of them expect the life threatening events which follow and the sting-in-the-tail ending.

Set in the late 1950's, this is a story which explores the relationship between youth and old age. Alsiter Digby is one of five children. Mrs. Unsworth, an elderly neighbour who lives alone appears at his house to ask his father to help her to get back into her house because she has locked herself out. Because of her wild appearance, heavily wrinkled face and unusual and erratic behaviour, Alister is afraid of her. His brother and friends believe she is some kind of witch who could harm them. In fact Mrs. Unsworth is suffering from the beginnings of dementia. Drama and conflict ensue when Alister decides to overcome his fear and help the old lady. Conflict arises between Alister and his parents who see her as a danger to their children, between Alister and his brother and friends who ridicule him and between Alister and a local gang of boys who think it fun to target the old lady and terrorise her. In the end his persistence in helping Mrs. Unsworth wins over both the attention and support of his brother and friends and his parents. This support seems to help and everything seems to be resolved . But none of them expect the life threatening events which follow and the sting-in-the-tail ending.

Ranger is a fit and agile cat who likes to wander and (as his owners' granddaughter says) "go on adventures." At the end of a Christmas break at their son's house, Reg and Helen Desmond head back home as the snow begins to fall. Their journey home proves difficult as the snowfall gets heavier. Having been involved in an accident, Mrs. Desmond is injured and the frightened Ranger escapes up an embankment. Mrs. Desmond is taken to hospital and Ranger takes refuge in a ravine for the night. It is from here that Ranger's adventures start as he crosses a farmer's field and finds his way through woods and on to the edge of a village. This leads him to Cinnamon Row. Here, he seeks to find food and shelter but comes into contact with Goliath a huge, feral cat who has been terrorising the residents of Cinnamon Row. How does Ranger cope with the threat of Goliath? Will Goliath continue to rule the residents of Cinnamon Row? And will Ranger ever be reunited with his owners? Two true happenings have been combined and developed to create this story.

Who is Craig Hartson? A ten year old boy with a chip on his shoulder? A bully, a nuisance...? Or, a scared little boy, crying out for love, friendship, acceptance and HELP! He is scared of failure so doesn't want to try and learn in class; he is scared that no one likes him so he tries to gain acceptance by silliness and misbehaviour; he is scared of disapproval so he flouts authority. The only person who will befriend him is Chelsea. She helps him with some of his classwork. It is when they visit their own secret place, the old, derelict Gospel Hall that things begin to change. Here they meet the mysterious Arthur who says he is the caretaker. Is he a tramp? Is he a squatter? Is he an eccentric? Or is he, as he claims, a Scaretaker who will take away Craig's fears.The relationship between the three develops and Craig begins to change his ways. In the end it is Arthur's influence which prevents a near tragedy.